What do you consider to be the weak link on the 2026 Steelers?

Actually today he took snaps with the first team

 

Having a 43 year old Qb who is afraid to take a hit.

 

No cowbell running back. I think they have talent, but I think having a Bettis/Bell type back would make me feel a lot more comfortable about opening up play action and the passing game.

I'm not sure if it's a weakness or a question mark.

 

My thing is I can listen to one, and Allar is doing awesome, and Howard, and Mason not, and I listen to another, and Howard is doing awesome, and Allar, and Mason isn't, and I listen to another, and clearly Mason is doing better. LoL.
That's the part I'm getting at. Someone, or ones is not telling the truth, or seeing it with a totally different view.

 

Early looks say that Wilson is doing just that. Much improved in routes and drops so far. Seen a few articles saying that he is looking like the #3.

 

QB is my big worry......and it is not just AR. AR will be 43. Injuries come easier and heal slower. If he goes down, who steps up to take over? It is that backup spot that I am most worried about at QB. Rudolph is the safe choice, but we are not going anywhere with him (probably...it is a new coaching staff, so who knows). In addition to the what if AR goes down question......who takes over in 2027? Do we hire another aged vet to limp thru the season with? Do we find a rookie that can be a starter? Or is the 2027 QB already on the team? I don't look forward to hiring another band aid or pinning the hopes of all our fans on a rookie with zero NFL experience.

 

JMO , if its a few games injury you go Mason, or if they bring in a different vet then them, but if its a rest of the season thing, like over 6 games , you gotta find out what the youngsters have. JMO

 

I mean we heard the same thing about Rodgers not being able to hold up during the season last year, he ended up playing 16 games.

 

He played more games than any Qb in our division. Let's hope the same can be said this year.

 

He absolutely has the mental part of the game. Physically, I think he is less mobile that years past and he does not have the same zip on a pass that he did.......but he still has enough. The questions are how well he will be able to take a hit and how often those hits come. Even the best conditioned players can get hurt and it does not get easier with age. If he is well protected and does not get blown up by someone seeking a sack, I think he can get thru the season with no problems. My fear is who steps in if he is injured, and more importantly, do we have the 2027 starter on the roster now? I hope that we do, but right now it is exceptionally difficult to make an educated guess. All new coaching, a 2nd year QB with no play time and a rookie with no play time. Not much there that you can make a judgement on.

So while he is a part of my QB worry, he is really not the focus of it. It is the guys behind him.

 

That's a point I tried to make somewhere here when I said that I'm not buying stories that Drew Allar is outplaying Mason Rudolph from some random guy who's opinions can't be trusted. Until I see it with my own eyes and determine whatever I can myself, I am not going to believe the story.

I certainly hope that it's true and that Allar is playing well. I just have a hard time believing that a rookie that had some work to do on his throwing mechanics, has a ton of work to do on his footwork, is learning a new offense, is learning to play from under center, and is coming off of a major knee injury is outplaying a quarterback that is entering his seventh season in the NFL this early in the process. I'm not saying it's impossible. I'm saying those circumstances make it very unlikely.

We will all get to see this play out fairly soon, but we haven't really seen anything yet. Now is not the time to make definitive determinations on player performances.

 

I would be more concerned about Joe Burrow being able to hold up for all the regular season games as he has only finished 3 out of the past 6 seasons. Of those six, two out of the past three he has failed to finish. Lamar Jackson is also being added here.


Not quite as busted up as Joe Burrow but the nicks he does get year in year out will wear on him sooner than later. For that matter, last season was the lowest rushing yards per attempt, lowest long rush (only 20 yards) and lowest yards per game of his career as a full time starter per Pro Football Reference.

 

I have been seeing that same thing. For most items that are of high interest when someone makes a claim that is not in line with the norm, I try and find several folks reporting the same thing......For instance, someone was claiming that one of the new rookie RBs was outplaying Warren and Dowdle. After a bit of poking around, I came to the conclusion that it is not true at all. It was just a fringe article, probably written by his mom or something.......lol.......can't take things at face value. Too many people out there these days that seem incapable of just reporting the news without a slanted look.

 

As I said pre-draft, it's ILB. After those two positions it is most likely NT and S.

 

Once an elite speed-running QB, that part of his game is gone. He was an overrated passer whose elite defense and running ability masked mediocre passing talent. That combo beat bad teams, but in the playoffs—when he had to throw he struggled. Both of those assets are gone. He lost his coach and his best lineman too.

Injuries are mounting. The steep decline is here. Lamar is cooked. No longer is he a top 5-10 QB!

 

In this order.... OT, Interior DL and ILB. All 3 are liabilities.

 

Weakness - I dunno at this stage.

Weakness last year was WR on Offense - This year it might not be.
Pittman and DK are the top of the food chain at WR.
Roman Wilson, much to my surprise has elevated to #3. This can be much attributed to the coaching job he is getting. They are working him inside a lot and Mike has said he wants to put him on the outside, I like the work he is getting.
Bernard is looking like a nice pick.

QB has been an issue for the past few years. All 3 backups are getting solid coaching.
Rogers is 43, not afraid to get hit but doesn't want to get hit and should not have to.... If the O-Line does a good job.
If they don't, there's a steep drop off in talent at QB and the other 3 do not work the pocket like Rogers does.
So this is probably my concern for now, protecting Rogers.

On defense, we gave up too many splash plays and those change momentum.
We recorded a decent amount of take aways and that needs to continue.
So for now, I would say playing defense consistent is a concern.

The first preseason game may prove otherwise, but that's what I think today.

 

That's interesting. I think of this as a strength.

I think both Warren and Dowdle could handle that load. But we'll be able to keep them fresh.

So we won't get screwed like we did whenever Bell got hurt and we were playing guys like Tousant (sp?) in the playoffs.

 

This is the way of our media today. There doesn't have to be a hint of reality, just create click-bait!

 

I totally agree

 

Exactly this 100%.
We shall see, and I Hope all of our young Qbs are playing so good we can't let them go

 

Don't forget we had to go that deep at RB because De Angelo Williams got hurt earlier

 

S Robert Spears-Jennings
With depth a concern at safety, Steelers coaches wasted no time in working the rookie seventh-rounder into the rotation at safety. Spears-Jennings has answered the call and most reports have been positive, noting his elite athleticism. We always felt like Spears-Jennings was a solid option to make the team as a rookie but after one week it feels like he might be in the mix to be a top reserve.

 

Geriatric defense.

At least four starters will be above 30 by the end of the season and another three are above 30: Holcomb, Sebastian Day and Jenkings will have significant reps. I personally think the team will win 9 or 10 games, but if this season falls apart (which I doubt it will), I'll talk about this issue more often and start pinning blame at Khan for his team building flaws.